It is a common occurrence for a building to slightly tilt after the completion of construction.
The tilting is known as differential settlement which is the uneven or unequal settling or sinking of a home or building's foundation.
Kenyans.co.ke compiled reasons which could cause a building to tilt or in extreme cases, sink.
Type of soil
The type of soil greatly determines the stability of a house and should be taken into consideration before construction commences.
There are high chances of differential settlement when there are different types of soil beneath the foundation.
Soil Moisture
Excess soil moisture or too-dry soil results in non-uniform movement and can also cause a building to tilt.
Tensar, a construction company, advises that contractors should use soil that is at a moderate moisture level during the building process
Weight on the Soil
While a strong foundation is necessary for a sturdy building, it should not be substituted to mean a heavy foundation.
Make sure the foundation can be sustained by the type of soil you are constructing your house on.
“A foundation that is too heavy or has too much weight on it will settle more than a lighter foundation,” Tensar warns.
The shape of the foundation
If the foundation is even and regular, it causes uniform settlement, which essentially lowers the structure in its existing place, and does not cause any damage.
Contractors should make sure that the foundation is regular and avoid a potential disaster.
